CDS promises increased security, military welfare, and interagency cooperation

Maj.-Gen. Christopher Musa, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), says his leadership philosophy would be based on three pillars: being people-centric, prioritising personnel welfare, and expanding jointness and interagency engagement.

Musa made the remarks in an Abuja statement titled “Leadership Concept of the Chief of Defence Staff” on Thursday.

He stated that his appointment was a clear manifestation of the trust placed in him to command the military services’ efforts to achieve their constitutional obligations in addressing developing security dynamics across the country.

According to him, accepting this essential obligation produces a clear leadership idea that will serve as a blueprint for the armed forces’ execution of relevant guiding principles.

“The significance of this roadmap is to foster highly disciplined, cohesive, and inspired armed forces capable of fulfilling their constitutional roles, facilitating national security, and enhancing the country’s long-term socioeconomic development.”

“In this sense, the basic outline of my leadership approach shall be “To Nurture a People-Centric, Collaborative, and Capable of Meeting its Constitutional Responsibilities in a Joint Environment.”

“As a result, my leadership concept will be built around three pillars: being people-centric, prioritising troop welfare, and deepening jointness and interagency collaboration,” he stated.

Musa stated that he understood the need of leasing the military to provide a secure and tranquil environment for the Nigerian people to freely engage in their legitimate business in accordance with the country’s constitutional duty.

He promised that the armed forces under his command will prioritise and protect the people and their rightful way of life, as outlined in the nation’s constitution.

According to him, the armed forces will apply the people-centric lens to critical components of activities in order to really place the Nigerian people at the heart of its efforts aimed at creating and safeguarding a secure environment for all.

The CDS stated that the military would actively protect territorial integrity and democracy, as well as internal security and unity, in order to establish the stability essential to ensure long-term national growth.

He stated that the welfare of troops and competent management would create the necessary environment for the military to carry out its constitutional tasks.

He informed military members of his commitment to their welfare, including the supply of relevant operational equipment and infrastructure development within available resources to help them succeed in their constitutional tasks.

“Among other things, the goal will be to promote targeted and specific capacity building, sound administration, and efficient resource management to improve the individual and collective welfare of armed forces personnel.”

“I will also promote international military cooperation/collaboration to further expose and train military personnel in joint and combined operations beyond Nigeria’s borders.”

“This measure is required to consolidate on armed forces welfare priorities in order to effectively deploy, fight, and win our nation’s wars as part of a joint force by providing ready, prompt, and sustained land, sea, and air dominance across traditional and asymmetric conflict settings.”

“A joint operation designed to exploit unity of effort in order to seize, retain, and maintain initiative in order to achieve a clearly defined military objective is critical to the realisation of the armed forces’ constitutional duties.”

“As a result, I will deepen collaboration and prioritise decision-making through a collaborative process of active contribution and consultation across a broad range of our security architecture.”

“I will foster trust, initiative, judgement, and creativity among the various services while also maintaining a channel for proactive engagement in all of our interactions.”

“In terms of other security forces, I intend to bridge the gap by revitalising communication channels and deepening synergy in the planning and execution of operations within a well-coordinated, joint, and multi-agency environment,” he added.

The defence chief stated that the nation’s numerous security challenges necessitated a more concise approach to minimising the issues.

He vowed to work hard to provide a safe and secure environment for the protection of lives and property, allowing socioeconomic activity to prosper.

According to him, the armed services are ready to fulfil their constitutional tasks in order to handle changing security dynamics across the country.

He praised President Bola Tinubu for placing his trust in him by selecting him as CDS. (NAN)